AVAA Board Of Directors Introduction
The Auctioneers and Valuers Association of (AVAA) is governed by Directors within the framework set out in the AVAA Constitution and bylaws, placing members at the centre of its decisions, priorities and future direction. As AVAA’s accountable governing body, it safeguards the Association’s purpose, integrity and sustainability while ensuring strategy, resources and activities deliver meaningful, enduring value for members nationwide.
AVAA’s President, Vice President and Treasurer form its leadership team, with four other directors elected by members and two directors appointed for their skills. Together, they bring diverse professional experience and perspectives from across the auction, valuation and associated sectors represented within AVAA’s national membership, ensuring member voices directly shape AVAA’s direction.
This structure ensures AVAA remains genuinely member-centric. Elected directors provide a direct democratic connection to the membership, while skills-based appointments strengthen the Board’s collective capability. Every director serves the Association as a whole, balancing members’ immediate interests with the profession’s enduring standing and future needs, and the practical value AVAA delivers nationally.
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National President —
Tim Slattery FCAAu, Slattery Grays Auctions
Tim is a director and co-owner of Slattery Grays Auctions Australia, a national business with offices across five Australian cities. With extensive auction, valuation and industrial auction-house experience, he brings strong sector insight. A former Freehills solicitor and adviser to an Australian Senator, Tim also contributes legal, commercial, corporate governance and not-for-profit board expertise to AVAA’s Board. His broad professional background supports informed decision-making, strategic oversight and a strong commitment to AVAA members and the wider profession.
John has been appointed an AVAA Fellow, recognising his contribution to the auction profession, and holds the respected AVAA Certified Auctioneer credential.
National Vice President —
Caroline Tickner CAVu, Caroline Tickner Valuations
Caroline is a general valuer and auctioneer with more than twenty years’ Australian and international experience. Her specialist expertise spans jewellery, decorative arts and fine art, supported by qualifications as a gemmologist, diamond technician and registered jewellery valuer. Caroline prepares formal valuations for market, insurance, probate, family division, superannuation, matrimonial and insolvency purposes. She brings particular insight into valuation methodology, market trends and clearly communicating how and why value is determined across differing professional, legal and personal contexts for clients.
Caroline holds the respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) credential.
National Treasurer—
John Leeson CCVAu, Leeson Valuations
John is an experienced valuer and auctioneer with approximately thirty years’ industry knowledge and a strong commitment to supporting fellow professionals. He has mentored junior valuers and readily shares his expertise with colleagues. As a longstanding director of several private companies, John brings sound knowledge of governance, compliance and risk management. He is a passionate advocate for continuing professional development, member support and education, helping strengthen AVAA, raise the industry’s profile and foster professional and personal growth throughout its membership.
John has been appointed an AVAA Fellow, recognising his contribution to the valuation profession, and holds the respected AVAA Certified Valuer credential.
Appointed Director —
Geoffrey Eaton CVau, Gordon Brothers
Geoff has more than twenty years’ experience as an auctioneer and valuer, with particular expertise in insolvency and recovery. A longstanding AVAA director and former National President, he brings extensive leadership and governance experience to the Board. Geoff is committed to representing members in government policy and legislative matters. Combining formal training qualifications with a passion for professional excellence, he supports industry standards through education, professional development and training that benefits AVAA members and the wider auction and valuation sector.
Geoff holds the respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) credential.
Elected Director —
David Jeffs CVAu, Dominion Group
David brings more than thirty years’ experience with earthmoving and civil equipment, spanning operational, sales, management and valuation roles. His background combines analytical thinking, innovation and forward planning with practical industry knowledge. Offering a fresh approach and Western Australian perspective, David is committed to strengthening recognition of the auction and valuation professions. He advocates for rigorous education, high professional standards and fees that reflect quality, while supporting the Board’s long-term strategy to increase awareness and deliver enduring value for members.
David holds the respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) credential.
Appointed Director —
Stephen Lester, Cox Automotive
National Vice President —
Jonathan Marin CAVu, TCG Valuations
Jonathan is a Director of TCG Valuations, specialising in trading cards and collectables. With more than eight years’ experience across collecting, professional grading and valuation, he brings detailed knowledge of authenticity, condition assessment, grading standards and international market behaviour. Jonathan is committed to strengthening professional recognition of emerging asset classes and promoting rigorous, evidence-based valuation practice. His specialist insight helps AVAA respond to evolving markets, new technologies and the needs of collectors and valuation professionals nationally.
Jonathan holds the respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) credential.
Elected Director —
Peter Messer CVAu, Evans Clark National
Peter is a director and co-owner of an Adelaide-based valuation and auctioneering company, where he has led teams of valuers and auctioneers for more than two decades. With a background in electronic engineering and the audio industry, he specialises in valuing and remarketing plant, machinery, technology and technical assets. Peter advocates for active industry engagement on regulatory change, emerging online practices and issues affecting members and the public. He brings balanced local and national perspectives to AVAA’s future strategic direction.
David holds the respected AVAA Certified Valuer (CVAu) credential.
Elected Director —
Jane Raffan FCAVu, Artifacts Art Services
Jane brings twenty years’ experience across the fine arts sector, including collection management at the Art Gallery of NSW and specialist and executive roles with national and international auction houses. For ten years, she has led her own art advisory and valuation consultancy. Jane combines academic expertise, creative insight and innovation with sound judgement, analytical capability and strong management skills. She provides adaptable, collegial leadership and is committed to advancing AVAA’s profile, supporting members and strengthening representation of arts-sector professionals.
Jane has been appointed an AVAA Fellow, recognising his contribution to the valuation profession, and holds the respected AVAA Certified Valuer credential.
[LinkedIn Profile]
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This structure ensures AVAA remains genuinely member-centric. Elected directors provide a direct democratic connection to the membership, while skills-based appointments strengthen the Board’s collective capability. Every director serves the Association as a whole, balancing members’ immediate interests with the profession’s enduring standing and future needs, and the practical value AVAA delivers nationally.
Guided by the not-for-profit governance principles published by the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and working within the Association’s governance framework, the AVAA Board concentrates on purpose, strategy, risk, organisational performance, and accountability to members. It provides high-level direction and disciplined oversight rather than operating as a committee of management, keeping governance decisions focused on outcomes, sustainability, and value for members through responsive service and representative leadership nationwide.
The AVAA Board maintains rigorous financial oversight, approves strategy and monitors organisational performance. The AVAA Chief Executive translates that direction into business development priorities and practical business plans, leads their delivery, and provides administrative oversight of the team, ensuring AVAA’s work produces measurable benefits for members and strengthens their voice across the sector..
Interested In Finding Out More?
For further information on AVAA’s governance arrangements and its member-driven activities, please send an email to company.secretary@avaa.com.au or telephone 1300 928 165. You can also stay up to date by following AVAA on LinkedIn, X/Twitter and Facebook.
— Related Information
◾AVAA What we do
◾AVAA Annual report
◾AVAA Board of directors
◾AVAA Annual budget
◾AVAA Strategic plan
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